Analysis of the endocrine and neural mechanisms that synergistically regulate the behavior and physiology of the worker honeybees.

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In this study, we aimed to unveil brain neural mechanisms and physiological mechanisms that underlie the honeybee social behaviors. Here, we unveiled novel cellular characteristics of the large-type Kenyon cells (KCs) and identified novel 'middle-type' KCs, both of which compose the mushroom bodies, a higher brain center. The neural activities of the small-type and some 'middle-type' KCs are enhanced in the foragers, whereas those of the class II KCs are enhanced in the Ja@anese worker honeybees that are forming a 'hot defensive bee ball' against the hornets. Furthermore, we showed that the royal jelly that is secreted from young workers (nurse bees) is a cocktail of secretory proteins derived from three exocrine glands and contains cell growth factors that may affect physiological status of the other nest mates.